Therapeutic method and apparatus



Nov. 10, 1959 B. M. sPENcE THERAPEUTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct.22. 1956 United States Patent O THERAPEUTIC METHOD AND APPARATUSBeatrice M. Spence, Leavenworth, Kans. Application ctober 22, 1956,Serial No. 617,423

1 Claim. (Cl. 12S-293) This invention relates to the field oftherapeutic treatment of human ailments and, more particularly, to anlmproved method and apparatus for use in treating afflicted body partssuffering from ailments such as, for example, arthritis, neuritis,phlebitis, sprains, muscular tension and the like, which respondfavorably to the localized application of heat and moisture.

It has been found that the inconvenience and impracticality ofpreviously available means and methods of applying localized heat andmoisture to afflicted parts over extended periods of time has beenresponsible for the failure in many instances of this basically soundtherapeutic approach. Particularly in cases of aggravated affliction bythe types of ailment in question, the usual treatingy periods have beenso limited in duration as to be almost entirely ineffective. The reasonfor such situation has' been that with the majority of previouslyavailable means and methods it has been necessary that the treatmenttake place in the ofiice or under the supervision of professionallytrained persons, While with other means and methods their very natureeither confines the patient to a substantially immobile condition in acertain location, or otherwise precludes the practical application ofthe treatment during extended periods under circumstances where thepatient may not be directing his full attention to the treatment itself.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide animproved method and means by which treatments involving the use oflocalized heat and moisture to afflicted body parts may be convenientlycarried out over extended periods such as when the patient is asleep atnight and during which the patient may move about and in any event willnot find it necessary Vto concentrate his attention upon the therapeutictreatment which is automatically progressing.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such animproved therapeutic method and apparatus involving the use of acovering and conning element for the afliicted body part adapted toretain therewithin and utilize as the heat and moisture foraccomplishing the desired therapeutic effects that heat and moistureaccumulated withinthe confining element from emanations of such heat andmoisture from the afflicted body part itself.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a flexible,moisture impervious plastic tube or bag adapted to receive the afflictedbody part therewithin and having elastic means at the open extremitiesthereof for effecting a substantial seal between the element and aportion of the human body adjacent the aiiiicted part thereof, it alsobeing an object of the invention to further provide thermally insulativemeans for disposition in covering relationship to the element to improvethe thermal insulation of the afflicted body part and interior of theelement from the ambient surroundings.

Other important objects of the invention will be made clear or becomeapparent as the following description of the method and apparatuscontemplated by the invention are explained.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of a human bodyshowing the application of the method and one embodiment of apparatuscontemplated by this invention to the treatment of an afflicted bodypart in the general area of the elbow of the patient, the apparatuscontemplated by the invention being shown partially in elevation andpartially in cross section for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the inner bag or confining elementshown in Figure 1, illustrating the detail thereof;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the embodiment of inner bag orconfining element shown in Figs. l and 2 taken from the direction of theopen end thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a human hand and armportion showing a modified embodiment of inner bag or confining elementapplied thereto.

It has been found in practice that the body heat and perspirationalmoisture naturally emanating from an aficted body part and portions ofthe human body adjacent thereto, are at least equally effective for usein the therapeutic treatment of such afflicted body part by localizedapplication of heat and moisture thereto as any heat or moisture whichcan be produced or applied from artificial sources. This has been foundto be particularly true since the utilization of artificial heat ormoisture sources necessarily require the provision of often complexequipment to serve as such sources, further normally either localizes orimmobilizes the patient during treatment in order that he may remainproperly disposed relative to such artificial sources, and additionallyoften limits the maximum period of treatment either by virtue of theinherent physiological effects of subjection to the particular sourcesutilized or because of the gross inconvenience or impracticality ofremaining immobilized or at the location of the sources for any extendedperiod.

Accordingly, the method of localized heat and moisture applicationcontemplated and taught by this invention, involves the confining of theafflicted body part within a limited space which is both substantiallysealed against the escape of moisture and substantially thermallyisolated to secure an accumulation of heat within such isolated space.

By this method, body heat radiating from the afiiicted body part itselfand perspiration emanating from such body part, provide the requiredheat and moisture to be used in treating the body part, the localapplication to the body part being attained through limiting the spacein which such heat and moisture are accumulated to an area surroundingor in direct contact with the afilicted body part. Although the durationof the treatment contemplated by the method will naturally vary somewhatwith the nature and seriousness of the ailment, it has been found, ingeneral, that prolongation of the period of treatment for a number ofhours normally increases its effectiveness. lt is, therefore, acurrently preferred fea ture of the method, which is rendered practicalby virtue of the nature of the apparatus hereinafter described, that thetreatment shall last for a continuous period of several hours, such asduring the time that the patient is asleep at night.

Referring now to the drawing which shows illustrative embodiments ofapparatus by which the method may best be practiced, the nature of themethod itself will become more clear from the explanation of suchapparatus.

Broadly, the apparatus of which a first illustrative embodiment isgenerally designated lil broadly includes an inner, flexible bag orconfining element 12 and an outer, flexible, thermally insulating bag ormember 14 disposed in covering relationship to the element 12. Theelement 12 is moisture impervious and may be formed of any suitable,thin, waterproof material of the required strength characteristics, acurrently preferred material being poly ethylene plastic. The element12, as shown for illustrative purposes, is elongated and tubular in forminordei' toadapt thc same particularly for use intreatinganintermediaterlimb portion of the human body such as an elbowor knee or the adjacent areas.

The element 12 may be conveniently formed from an initialiy hat sheet 16of polyethylene plastic having its longitudinal edges 18 and 20 broughttogether and overlapped, with an elongated strip of bias tape or thelike 2f: preferably being extended in covering relationship over thezone of overlapping 24, the connection being then accomplished by linesof stitching as at 26 and 2S. Alternateiy, the edges 18 and 20 could bejoined by any suitable thermal sealing teclmique, many of which areknown to the art of plastics manufacture. At each of the open ends ofthe tubuiar element 12 is provided a circumscribing elastic stripdesignated 30 and 32 respectively, which may be, for example, in formcommonly used in garters or the like. Elastic strips 30 and 32 aresecured to the sheet 16 from which element 12 is formed by lines ofstitching as at 34, 36, 3S and 4t?.

Obviously, the element 12 may be constructed in various sizes and shapesas required to best adapt the same for the particular body part to betreated.

As shown in Figure l, the element 12 is simply slipped over the limb tobe treated with the elasticized ends there of disposed on opposite sidesof the aiiiicted body part 42. By virtue of the nature of the sheetmaterial 16 from which the element 12 is made, and the substantial sealeffected at the ends of the element 12 by means of the elastic strips 30and 32, it will be apparent that both heat and moisture emanating fromthe body part 42 and adjacent portions of the body within the element12, will be confined, accumulated and maintained in contact with theafflicted part 42.

The outer, thermally insulating covering or member 14 may not, in somecases, have to be used at all. Where a greater preservation of theaccumulated body heat than can be accomplished with the element 12 aloneis desired, however, the member 14 may be simply wrapped around theelement 12 and may consist, for example, of a sheet of toweling, wool orany other material having suitable thermal insulating qualities.

As illustrated, the member 14 comprises an elongated strip 44 of suchmaterial wrapped upon the element 12 in a plurality of layers. lfdesired, the member 14 could obviously be formed as a sleeve or the likehaving elastic means (not shown) adjacent its ends for retaining themember 14 in the desired location or other conventional means could beprovided for retaining either a sleeve-like or wrapped member 14 inoperative position.

In order to illustrate a modified form of confining element, Fig. 4shows an element generally designated 60, which is particularly adaptedfor use in treating a limb extremity such as a hand or foot. The element60 may correspond generally in construction to the element 12 and beformed of a sheet 62 of exible polyethylene plastic or the like, formedinto the configuration of a bag. Such element 60 is thus bag-like inform and provided with a single open extremity as at 70. Surrounding theopen end 70 there is provided an elastic strip or tape 72 which is sewnto the sheet 62 as at 74 and 76.

In use, the element 60 would be simply slipped upon a hand or foot incovering relationship thereto with the elastic tape 72 effecting asubstantial seal at the wrist or ankle. Obviously, a suitable outer,thermally insulating covering (not shown) can be used with the element60 in the same manner as described yfor the element 12.

It will now be apparent thatnot only is the method contemplated by thisinvention ideally adapted for accomplishing the therapeutic treatment ofatilicted'parts by localized application of self-generated heat andmoisture, but that the apparatus contemplated by-the invention isideally suited for use in the-practice of.such method, it being observedthat such apparatus is not only effective, simple and inexpensive, butis of nature permitting its use to effect the treatment during longperiods and without conscious attention Ifrom the patient or anyattending professional personnel.

it will be clear to those skilled in the art that both'the method andapparatus of the invention are subject.to certain minor changes,variations and modifications without departing from the true spirit orintention `of the invention. For example, by following the generalteachings of this invention, it will be apparent that the method may beapplied and apparatus provided for confining self-generated body heatand moisture to virtually any other part of the human body, those chosenabove being merely illustrative.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention shall be deemedlimited only by the scope of the claim that follows.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

Apparatus for us in treating ailments of parts of the human body whichrespond to localized applicationfof heat and moisture comprising ahollow, flexible, inelastic, inwardly and outwardly smooth surfaced,imperforate element of synthetic plastic material having at leastoneopen extremity and adapted to receive an aiicted body part therewithin,the major portion of the element being of somewhat greater dimensionsthan said body part whereby said portion of the element is normallydisposed in spaced relationship to said body part whereby -the elementdoes not impede circulation of body fluids through said body part;elastic means on each openy end of the element and adapted for effectinga substantial moisture and heat retaining seal between each openextremity of the element and a portion of the human body adjacent saidatiiicted part thereof; and an lelongated, thermally insulative memberwrapped about said element to improve thermal isolation of theinteriorfof the element from ambient conditions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS850,281 Walter Apr. 16, 1907 1,775,442 Sarason Sept. 9, 1930 2,210,618St. Cyr Aug. 6, 1940 2,244,871 Guinzburg .Tune 10, 1941 2,749,914 BraleyJune 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 877,507 France Sept. 7, 1942 1,049,173France Aug. 12, 1953

